[Considerations on the guilt feelings towards mother and maternal separation using the Japanese keywords "sumu-akirameru" and "sumanai"].

Résumé

In this paper, I use the Japanese keywords "Sumanai" and "Sumu-Akirameru" to discuss the guilt feelings towards mother and maternal separation. "Sumanai" is an everyday Japanese expression signifying both a regretful apology and an obsessive compulsive feeling. The Japanese frequently say "Sumanai" to express their guilt feeling towards a dependent object. Clinical observation has shown me that "Sumanai" implies not only pathological guilt but also a more healthy contrite feeling, two sides of "Sumanai" which correspond to the persecutory guilt and depressive guilt described by L. Grinberg. In therapy, patients passing through the depressive position experience a kind of protective harmonious space. This experience of space associated with object loss is similar to potential space (D.W. Winnicott) or philobatism (M. Balint), and can be expressed by the Japanese term "Sumu-Akirameru". "Sumu" means clean, pure and "to take root". "Akirameru" means both "to abandon" and "to see calmly". "Sumanai" is the negative of "Sumu" and its pathological guilt feeling implies a sense of impurity. I have discovered close resemblances between "Sumu-Akirameru" and philobatism (M. Balint): 1) both are observed in the therapeutic depressive position; 2) both have an affinity for friendly expanses while simultaneously tending to avoid the external object; 3) both have a visual attribute and insight; 4) both have the special qualities of "submerging in" and "taking root", allowing patients to awaken their sense of self in this protective harmonious space; 5) both imply that the time is ripe for psychological change; 6) both involve a kind of complexity constituted of a regressive element and adaptability contrary to reality. As described above, "Sumu-Akirameru" as a psychotherapeutic phenomenon has many universal characteristics. On the other hand, there are several differences between "Sumu-Akirameru" and philobatism, differences deeply rooted in Japanese culture: 1) "Sumu-Akirameru" implies cleanliness and beauty, lacking in philobatism. It is well-known that these qualities of cleanliness and beauty form the essence of the traditional Japanese religion (Shintoism); 2) Japanese patients passing through the depressive position often experience merging with the natural scenery, and it is said that traditional Japanese culture is deeply influenced by animism or nature worship; 3) Japanese patients experience "Sumu-Akirameru" as a sitting image, whereas Western patients experience philobatism as a standing image. The Japanese may associate this sitting image with the Buddha as the most mature individual. 4) Visually, "Sumu-Akirameru" is experienced as calmly viewing natural scenery, whereas philobatism is experienced as gazing at an object.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)